RAF Golden Jubilee Book?

[AeroplaneDriver]

While browsing around the internet I found a reference to an "Golden Jubilee Souvenir Book" by J.W.R. Taylor, published in 1968 to celebrate the RAF's 50th birthday.  The reference I found said that the book featured a speculative illustration of an RAF Concorde carrying 3 Blue Steel missiles in the 'next 50 years' chapter.  

Anyone got this book or remember it?  I'd love to see that picture!

[Captain Canada]

Weren't there about 50 CDN Sabres in that same flypast ?

Go Canada !

I've heard of that book as well, but recall it being bloody expensive.......

[Howard of Effingham]

While browsing around the internet I found a reference to an "Golden Jubilee Souvenir Book" by J.W.R. Taylor, published in 1968 to celebrate the RAF's 50th birthday.  The reference I found said that the book featured a speculative illustration of an RAF Concorde carrying 3 Blue Steel missiles in the 'next 50 years' chapter. 

Anyone got this book or remember it?  I'd love to see that picture!

you are right and iirc this topic has been raised on the wif site before now.

i have a copy of said magazine at home. the idea is as you said, though it is a
small drawing only in one corner of a page.

the blue steel ASMs were mounted thus; one on the fuselage centreline and one
under each wing, though i can't remember if it was outboard of the the engines or
not.

would it have worked?   but it would make a very nice model in either
1/72 or 1/144.

now, howabout that RoG supersonic boeing SST with a couple of skybolts or
hounddogs under the wings?    

trevor

[kitnut617]

I'm building my 1/72 Concorde as a RAF Concorde B.1.  From long ago I remembered that picture when my Dad bought me the magazine when we went to Farnborough that year.  When Airfix announced they were introducing their Concorde I knew what I would be building mine as.

Here's a link to photos of my build AND the picture in question that appeared in the Year Book that year.

http://groups.msn.com/TheWhatifandoddballm...to&PhotoID=2037

You can also follow the build on Jamatari's forum too as James is posting his 1/144
build there as well.

http://thekitforum.16.forumer.com/viewtopic.php?t=26

As to to Trevors question, whether it would have worked, I don't know.  I have found that in the picture the Bluesteels are a bit undersized, but three of them will fit only I've had to give it some thought on how it would be done.  Using three Bluesteels from the Airfix Vulcan kit I think that the center one would have to be recessed like on the Vulcan, the two just outboard the fuselage but inboard the engines have to fit rather precisely, 1. so that they don't interfer with the center one and 2. so they don't block the air intakes of the engine.

Of interest, I've found out that the prototype Concorde was being built to an unusual certification, it was classed under the 'Common Aeronautical Supply' - that is not civilian (CAA or ARB), nor military (AQD), but in the unusual 'CAS' category, meaning it could go immediately to either civilian or military use without further formalities.  I got this information from a fellow Air-Britain member and noted author, Phil Butler, who also happened to work on equipment destined for the Concorde.

After asking him for a serial number which would be appropriate for the prototype Concorde B.1 he came up with this number, XW520, which would be a mid-1968 number.  

Robert

[AeroplaneDriver]

Thanks Robert!

Great picture, though I agree the Blue Steels look a bit small.  

[The Rat]

Yeah, I've got that mag stashed somewhere. I would put good money on that picture inspiring a humungous number of budding whiffers. I was one.